As many of you know, I am giant podcast junkie and listen to entirely too many podcasts. You can read all about it in my previous post. Given my love for spoken word media, I found myself searching for an inexpensive way to listen to audiobooks to see if I would like it just as well. Nothing is better than free, and that's exactly what OverDrive has allowed me to do. If you are not familiar with OverDrive, it is an app that allows you to borrow audiobooks from your local library from the convenience of your phone. Simply download the app and find the audiobooks you want that are available through your local library. If you do not have a library card, going to your local library to get one is worth it. If you are in the Denver area, Denver Public Library has a variety of impressive services and you should check them out (seriously, they are constantly blowing my mind). Like any library book, however, there are a limited number of 'copies' of each audiobook, so you may have to wait for a copy to become available. You can put a hold on the book and get an email when it is available for you to download. I have been utterly impressed with how convenient and smooth the entire process has been.

Screenshot of OverDrive App through Denver Public Library

​This leads me to my second recommendation. If you have never listened to the Harry Potter audiobooks, you are missing out. The narrator does an incredible job bringing the story to life, with unique voices for each character. He somehow manages to sound like Hermione while still sounding like a story narrator. This had been my newest obsession and I have found myself on to the third book in a matter of a couple of weeks. I have thoroughly enjoyed re-reading the series this way and find myself sneaking in more Harry Potter every time I take public transit to work, wash the dishes, or work on laundry. I even sometimes listen to it while working out. Who says that you can't read and be active at the same time?

Since I do not have an English background, I would be curious to hear thoughts from English teachers on how this app can be used with students. Please share any recommendations or ideas in the comments below!